Diagnostic and therapeutic stratification of childhood brain tumors: implications for translational research.
Recent advances in the categorization of childhood brain tumors have improved risk-based treatment planning. In several instances, new therapeutic strategies that incorporate these advances have resulted in meaningful improvements in progression-free and overall survival. Current studies are directed at further refining therapy based on clinical, biological, and molecular data; testing the effectiveness of a number of novel therapeutic strategies for high-risk tumors; and examining approaches to reduce sequelae of treatment among more favorable-risk tumor subsets. Because multiple tumor subtypes are individually relatively uncommon, most such studies are being conducted by large co-operative groups, such as the Children's Oncology Group, or by smaller brain tumor-focused consortia, such as the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
Pollack
Ian F
IF
Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. ian.pollack@chp.edu
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015195:Drug Design; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor